The case of the present afflicted clergy in Scotland truly represented to which is added for probation the attestation of many unexceptionable witnesses to every particular, and all the publick acts and proclamations of the convention and Parliament relating to the clergy / by a lover of the church and his country.

A Proclamation for a General Fast.

At Edinb. August 24. 1689.

Present in Council,

• E. Crafurd P.
• M. Douglas.
• E. Southerland.
• E. Leven.
• E. Annandale.
• L. Rosse.
• L. Carmichell.
• Sir Hugh Campbel of Calder.
• Sir Iames Montgomerie of Skelmorly.
• Sir Arch. Murray of Blackbarrony.
• Iames Brody of that Ilk.
• Sir Iohn Hall L. Provost of Edinb.

FOrasmuch as the great and long abounding of Sins of all sorts amongst all Ranks of Persons, with the continued Impenitency under them, and not Reforming therefrom; The falling from their first Love; and great Faintings and Failings of Ministers, and others of all Ranks, in the hour of Temptation, in their Zeal for God and his Work; and that although there be much cause to Bless God for the Comfortable Unity and Harmony amongst the Ministers, and Body of Christian Professors in this Church: Yet that there are such Sad and Continuing Divisions amongst some, is also matter of Lamenta∣tion before God; The great Ingratitude for his begun Deliverance of this Nation from Popery and Slavery, and unsuitable Walking thereunto, The Contempt of the Gospel, not Mourning for former and present Iniquities, nor turning to the Lord by such Reforma∣tion and Holiness, as so great a Work calls for; The many Sad and long continued Tokens of Gods Wrath, in the hiding of his Face, and more especially in his Restraining the Power and presence of His Spirit, with the preached Gospel, in the Conversion of Souls, and Edifying the Converted; And the Lord's Threatning the Sword of a Cruel and Barbarous Eenemy, in the present great Distress of Ireland, by the prevailing of an Anti Christian Party there, and Threatning the Sword of the same Enemy at Home, and the great and imminent Danger of the Reformed Protestant Religion, not only from an open Declared Party of Papists, Enemies to the same, but from many other professed Protestants, who Joyn Issue with them

in the same Design, besides the sad Sufferings and Scatterings of Reformed Churches Abroad; Having Seriously and Religiously moved the Presbyterian Ministers, Elders and Professors of the Church of Scotland, Humbly to Address themselves to the Lords of His Majesties Privy Council, for a General Fast and Day of Humilia∣tion, to be kept throughout the whole Kingdom. The saids Lords Do out of a Pious and Religious Disposition, Approve of the said Motion, as Dutiful and Necessary at the time; And therefore in His Majesties Name and Authority, Do Command a Solemn and pu∣blick Fast, and day of Humiliation, to be Religiously and Sincerely Observed throughout this Kingdom, both in Churches and Meeting-Houses, as they would avert Wrath, and procure and continue Blessings to this Kingdom, and that all Persons whatsoever may send up their Fervent Prayers and Supplications to Almigh••y God, That He would pour out upon all Ranks, a Spirit of Grace and Supplication, that they may Mourn for all their Iniquities, and more especially, that God would pour forth upon King WILLIAM and Queen MARY, and upon all inferior Magistrates and Coun∣sellors, a Spirit of Wisdom for Government, and Zeal for God, His Church, and Work in this Land, as the present Case of both do call for, and that God may preserve Them for carrying on that great Work, which he hath so Gloriously and Seasonably begun by Them; and that God would Countenance, and Bless with Success the Armies by Sea and Land, Raised for the Defence of the Protestant Religion; and more especially, that God would pour forth a Spirit of Holiness upon them, lest their Sins and ours, may provoke God again•• them in the Day of Battel; and that he would Bless all Means for the Settlement of Church and State: That God would Bless the Season of the Year, and give Seasonable Weather for Cutting Down, and gathering in the Fruits of the Earth, that the Stroke of Famine, which God hath frequently Threatned the Nation with, may be Averted. And the saids Lords of His Majesties Privy Council, do, in Name and Authority foresaid, Command and Charge, that the said Solemn and publick Fast, be Religiously and devoutly performed, both in Churches and Meeting-Houses, by all Ranks and Degrees of persons within this Kingdom, on this side of the Water of Tay, upon Sunday the Fifteenth day of September next to come; and by all others be-north the same, upon Sunday thereafter, the Twenty second day of the said month of September: And to the End that this part of Divine Worship, so pious and Necessary, may be punctually kept

upon the respective Days above-mentioned, They Ordain Sir William Lockhart Sol••icitor, in the most convenient and proper way, to dis∣patch and send Copies hereof to the Sheriffs, their Deputs, and Clerks of the several Shires of this Kingdom, to be by them published at the M••r••at Crosses of the Head Burghs, upon receipt thereof, and immediately sent to the several Ministers, both of Churches and Meeting-Houses, that upon the Lords-day immediately preceding the Fast, and upon the respective Days of the publick Fast, and Hu∣miliation, the Ministers may read, and intimate this Proclamation from the Pulpit, in every Parish Church and Meeting-House; and that they Exhort all persons to a serious and devout performance of the said Prayers, Fasting and Humiliation, as they regard the Favour of Almighty God, and the Safety and Preservation of the Protestant Religion, and expect a Blessed Success to the carrying on of that Great and Glorious Work of this Nations being delivered from Popery and Slavery, so seasonably begun; and as they would avoid the Wrath and Indignation of God against this Kingdom, and pro∣cure, and continue mani••old Blessings to the same: Certifying all these who shall contemn or neglect such a Religious and necessary Duty, they shall be proceeded against, and published as Contemners of his Majesties Authority, Neglecters of Religious Services, and as persons disaffected to the Protestant Religion, as well as to Their Majesties Royal Persons and Government. And Ordains these pre∣sents to be printed and published by Macers or Messengers at Arms, at the Mercat-Cross of Edinburgh, and other places above-mentioned, that none may pretend Ignorance.

• Per actum Dominorum Secreti Concilii.
• GILB. ELIOT, Cls. Sti. Concilii.

God save King William and Queen Mary.